Newsletter

Savannah-Chatham police tonight will begin closing a portion of River Street to traffic each night to combat recent issues brought forward by residents and merchants along the riverfront.

Officers will close the portion of River Street east of the Hyatt Hotel, just behind city hall, each night at 10:30 p.m., said Julian Miller, police spokesman. Traffic in the area will be diverted up the Bull Street ramp to exit the area until River Street is reopened about 3 a.m. each day.

The major issue, Miller said, is people “cruising” in the area who are playing excessively loud music and causing “other problems.”

In addition to the nightly road closures, Miller added, more officers will be placed in the area to enforce loud music restrictions and other offences. They will also help motorists exit the River Street area and determine how effectively the strategy is working.

It’s not the first time police have shut down portions of River Street. Miller said a similar tactic was used successfully in the mid-1990s after complaints in the area.

Emergency responders, touring and taxi companies, and businesses in the area have already been notified of the changes, and road signs will be placed in the area to advise drivers of the restrictions, Miller said.

“While this action may be frustrating to a few, it is necessary to address issues in the Riverfront area to assure the safety of all,” Police Chief Willie Lovett said in a prepared statement. “The increase in cruising, behavior of some of the occupants of the vehicles on the street, and the number of pedestrians enjoying our Riverfront present opportunities for problems if we don’t address them.”